Purpose

As part of the Council’s continuing contribution to commemorating Mayflower 400, an agreement to rent the house of the Mayflower Captain (Christopher Jones) was agreed with the owner. This was originally due to last until the end of 2020, but due to the global pandemic was extended until the end of 2022. In January 2024 the current tenants contacted the Council requesting an extension to the agreement - the original agreement was confirmed to 31st October 2024.
Further decisions published on 24th October 2024, 13th November 2024, 23rd December 2024, 28th January 2025, 26th February 2025, 31st March 2025 enabled the extension of the current arrangement to 30th April 2025.
The current tenants will be taking over the lease of the house from 1st January 2025 and have agreed to pay the rent to Tendring District Council for the period 1st January 2025 – 31st December 2025. Due to a delay in governance around the agreement, Tendring District Council has agreed to continue to pay 1st May 2025 to 31st May 2025 with the current tenants repaying the full amount when the agreement has been confirmed.
In concurrence with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Tourism and Regeneration, this request was approved. A copy of the concurrence and decision is available on file.
Related Decision: https://tdc-mgov-prd-01.tendringdc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=13415

Decision

To fund the lease of Christopher Jones House from 1st May 2025 to 31st May 2025 from various tourism underspends with the agreement that the Harwich Society will refund the full amount (1st January 2025 - 31st May 2025) once the required legal agreements have been arranged.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - To not extend the lease and to close the house as a visitor attraction.
Option 2 - To fund the extension of the lease to 31st May 2025